New Listing: 2005 Woodshorn Drive matthews, NC. 28104

This large spacious home built in 2007 boasts over 3000+ square feet of living space for only $289,900. This home has five very large bedrooms and a bonus room that can easily be converted into a sixth bedroom. All three bathrooms areFULL baths in the home. But the one feature I like is the fact that there is a separate full bath and bedroom on the main level for guests or family that is staying over.

if you like to entertain you will enjoy the formal living room and dining room that are adorned with hardwood floors. The dining room also features chair rail molding and beautiful pillars to separate it from the living room area.

The focal point of the downstairs is the kitchen. With upgrades everywhere in this gorgeous kitchen you will not be disappointed. From the hardwood floors, tile backsplash, granite countertops and the 42 " cabinents the home owners thought of it all when building this kitchen. The center island is very economical and functional. You have a nice bar type opening to the large family room with gas fireplace. A great way to enjoy the family while working in the kitchen. Off the kitchen is a breakfeast area with bay style windows. An awesome place to enjoy morning coffee as you look out at your expansive yard and the common area.

Oh ya, the back of the house borders to a common area that will NOT be built on...adding to the peace and quietness you get with this house.

Once you go upstairs you are greeted by a spacious landing area that hosts the bonus room with a walk in closet (can easily be converted to a sixth bedroom). Off the top of the stairs is the large and open master bedroom with a cathedral ceiling feeling when you walk in. The large window to the front of the house brings a lot of wonderful natural sunlight into the house throughout the day.

Off the master bedroom is the master bathroom. The master bathroom has been upgraded with tile throughout. His and her sinks adorn the bathroom as well as a wonderfully tiled shower stall and soaking tub. Off the master bathroom is a generous walk in closet.

On the other side of the upstairs (away from the master bedroom) are the three addtional bedrooms that are separated from the master bedroom by a full bath and laundry room area. All are very good size and have walk in closets in each of the rooms as well. With so many bedrooms upstairs it is nice knowing the kids and husband do not have far to walk to put their dirty clothes.

Did I mention that the community boasts an olympic size swimming pool, recreation area and playground as well...There is so much about this house and community that make it special and a great value....Come see whay so many people choose Callonwood subdivison as their home....

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com.

How To Decide Where To Live In Charlotte

As a Realtor I am always asked where is the best places to live in Charlotte? First, let me say we are guided under ethical rules so we cannot steer people toward one neighborhood or area over another. So,can I defintely answer your question? Yes and No. I cannot steer you toward one area or neighborhood but I can tell you areas that meet the criteria you are looking for in a home and area.

Charlotte has become a popular place among families relocating. According to a business journal article I read a few days ago; Charlotte, NC. ranked 42 out of 325 major metro areas in job growth last year from the previous year. With the weather and job growth in the area Charlotte has become a popular destination among families and young professionals looking to relocate to the area.

With that, there is so many choices of places within Charlotte to live. Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and the most populated. Thus it offers a wide array of distinct neighborhoods and areas. We have areas that cater to the young professional and empty nesters. Other areas that are condusive for bike riders and walkers, suburban neighborhoods inside of Charlotte, old world charm type homes, homes with views, homes on golf courses, homes in communities with amneties and others on open parcels of land. Homes located in Charlotte host some of the top schools in North Carolina and the United States.

So, yes Charlotte is a great place to live and offers a wide array of choices for you. But where do I decide to live? I help a lot of people looking to move to the area with this question. Here is what I tell them:

1. Decide what you want in a home. What features, square footage, lot size, bedrooms you need, bathrooms and price range.

2. Decide what you want for recreation activities either in the community or close by. Parks, sports fields, bike trails, greenways, etc....

3. Is commuting distance important as well as time? Charlotte has grown and unfortuantely the infrastructure has not fully caught up to the population growth yet. (but they are working on it).

4. Now, find a Realtor who knows the area and ask them for help in locating a home. I let people search for free on my website and Realtors can guide you toward areas that meet your criteria. We can send you homes that fit the criteria of what you are looking for. Best of all the services are FREE. We do not get paid until you purchase a home. And then the seller pays us.

4. Are schools important to you? If so check out www.ncreportcard.org for schools in neighborhoods and areas you chose and your Realtor sends you.

5. Go out and look at homes.... No better way to get a true feeling for an area than to drive through it and look around at the area.

There are many more options available for people depnding on where they are at in their life. This is a good basic foundation to begin a search for a home in the Charlotte area. With so many choices ut there right now; narrowing down the criteria and finding an agent that knows the area is going to be the most crucial in your search.

If you are looking to move to Charlotte or have questiosn about Charlotte please feel free to give me a call or e-mail me. I made the move six years ago to call Charlotte, NC. home with my family and have never regretted that descsion.

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com

Should Buyer's Agents Provide Feedback?

I was reading a blog post today from a fellow Realtor about the lack of courtsey Realtors have in leaving feedback when they show a house. I admit, I am (or should say was) one of those Realtors who would get upset if another Realtor did not leave feedback and would ALWAYS make a concerted effort to write something back to a listing agent when I showed one of their properties. I would say that half of my business comes from listings and the other half comes from buyers. So, i always believe what comes around goes around. Thus if I wanted feedback on my listings; I needed to give it on the homes I showed my buyers.

Today after reading through the blog and the controversy of comments it sparked I have rethought my position on this. I am not totally against feedback but what is considered appropiate and not appropiate. When I take a buyer out and have explained working with a real estate agent with them in North Carolina; they decide whether to want to work with me or not. If they do I am now representing them as a buyer's agent. NOT a sellers agent.

Thus by a listing agent asking me what my client thought of the property takes away from my responsibility to the buyer. If my client likes the property I can be compromising their negotiating position on the house. If they do not and I tell the listing agent that; does it mean everytime I do not give feedback that my client likes the house? It is a catch 22. So, is there a right or wrong answer to giving feedback?

First, I only provide feedback if my client elects for me to do so on thier behalf. I represent them and not the seller. I have always done this. I ask them if there was anything they would like for me to relay to the seller about the house. If not, I may give my objective opinion and inform the lisiting agent here is what I thought.

Second, I NEVER devulge if my client has any interest in the house. It can be compromising to the negotiations on the property. I have and do send feedback; If after viewing the house and talking it over they decide they are going to put an offer in on the house. I will send feedback letting the listing agent know that an offer is being prepared for the house. A good listing agent will then inform me if there are other offers on the house. I can then prep my clients to make a descision on how to present with an offer.

Last, in Charlotte MLS agreement we as Realtors sign an agreement that says feedback is required. Not that I doubt anyone files a complaint. But, even with it required I was told a few months ago that they only get feedback on approximately 60% of all showings. Newer agents tend to place feedback all the time and experienced agents tend not to. Whether that is ethical or not is a question for the Realtor board.

My theory on this; is say something. It does not have to be representative of the buyer. You can say MY OPINION is that the house needs X, Y, AND Z, or the house shows nice and well kept...or something along those lines. Yes we have a responsibility to our buyers. But giving our opinion is not representative to what the buyer thinks. it is OUR OPINION.

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com

When Selling Your Home Does Your Realtor Provide Feedback/Surveys?

This morning I was on a listing presentation. I had done a thorough market presentation and market anaylsis for the neighborhood and felt very confident in procuring this listing. I went through my lsiting presentation and market anylsis. The buyer showed no emotion during any of this process. He seemed unfazed by the whole marketing thing. Then I apparently hit a nerve with him. Recently I switched over from asking Realtors in the Charlotte area to provide feedback to a survey format. I have five basic questions and a few lines for comments. I want to know what the curb appeal was when they pulled up to the house, thoughts of inside of the home, layout, price, and any improvements needed. Then I ask if they are interested in the house or not. If they reply no; then why. I have gotten great feedback from this survey for my sellers. It has helped them realize what the buyer sees and make the necessary adjustments to get their home sold.

I pulled out a copy of the survey and showed it to thsi client. I told him I ask every Realtor who shows the house to fill this out. I may not necessarily get it back...but I ask four different times. But when they do send it back to me I forward it on to you. Regardless of the answers i forward a copy of the survey on to you the seller i told him. A third person indepnedent of the situation has sometimes the best view of the home without any blinders.

He told me afterwards I had the listing. The reason he gave was the survey. He felt it was important to know what the buyers thought and this would help him realize what it took to get his house sold sooner rather than later.......

He also metnioned his last Realtor never shared any feedback responses or surveys with him. I told him in this market you need to give the seller every tool availble to help them make a descsion that is best for their home. Sometimes hearing a house is over priced by a few agents who show a home is all it takes to realize you cannot command what you had hoped for out of the market...Sometimes it is little things that can be easily fixed hindering you from selling your home. Without the feedback; you do not know what the buyers for your house are thinking.....If you are not receiving surveys or feedback from your agent...why not?

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com

Adding Curb Appeal To Help Sell Your Charlotte Home This Spring?

Yesterday marked the first day of spring. If you live in the Charlotte, NC. area you probably felt spring started a few weeks ago; as the weather has beenfavorable for us here in Charlotte. But, now that spring has officially arrived; what can you do to help get your home sold or ready to go on the market?

Everyone says you need to price a house correctly. But you can have your home priced correctly and still not generate showings and offers. You need to ensure the curb appeal to your home makes it inviting for soemone to want to look inside. Since in Charlotte we have been blessed by a very mild winter in comparison to other areas of the country our grass is getting greener sooner, and trees are beginning to show buds ready to open. The cold dark days of winter are behind us. make sure your home is up to the season.

There are a lot of little things you can do to spruce up the curb appeal of your home:
•Freshly cut grass always makes a home look better.
•Plant colorful flowers around the front of your home.
•Little mulch can go a long way to add life to the front of a house.
•Power wash the exterior of your home.
•Paint the wood trim and/or shutters to freshen up the house.
•Clean the yard.
•Have your Realtor re-take exterior photos (if he took them in the winter time)
These are just some ideas of what you can do to help the curb appeal of your house. It can and does make the difference between someone looking at your home and not even considering it.... We all look at the photos and if we do not like the outside of a house; chances are we are not going to even look inside. So take a look at your home from the outside. Maybe take pictures from different angles and ask friends and family what they think. Have your Realtor give you ideas of no cost or low cost ideas to spruce up the look of your home.

Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com